Subject : Doctoral Education in Nursing and what the future holds for the profession - Essay Example

Introduction Nursing as a profession is gaining momentum as attempts are made to make it an autonomous profession. Nursing has long being neglectedand denied of its share of professional status. The concept of nursing was always considered as any other common menial task. It took a long time and struggles to establish its worth as a highly specialised field. Anne Barker in her book traces down the history of the beginning and growth of nursing. She points out the gradual transition of nursing from its religious association to acquiring professional status.

There has been a deliberate effort to make the nursing system base on scientifically sound educational set up. The approach to develop a professional practice oriented education is the high point in the history of nursing. Professional education and autonomy In the last few decades nursing has emerged as a proper profession from its status of a semi-profession (Barker, 2009, p8). Professionalism has brought in the concept of autonomy that includes decision making and accountability. With this aspect in view emphasis is given on the up gradation of the nursing profession where the nurse could take the responsibility of a patient with full accountability.

For such professional outlook the candidate has to have a sound knowledge base and hands on experience. This explains the necessity of the demand for the standardisation of education, and developing “a theory based nursing practice” (Barker, 2009, p8). The DNP position statement indicates the prerequisite knowledge and thorough understanding of the subject on the part of those going for advanced nursing (AACN, 2006, p4).The new approach towards developing professional educational goals promises of the development of professional nursing.

Importance of professional education and autonomy With the emergence of professionalism, the concepts of product outcome and client satisfaction have become big issues. These involve full accountability on the part of the professional and increase of one’s responsibilities. Therefore autonomy becomes an integral part of a profession and helps in its promotion. In this connection Barker (2009) points out that an increase in nursing autonomy results in “improved patient outcome” (p8). The DNP statement in a list of benefits of the doctoral program implies the transformation to professionalism.

It clearly identifies the professional grounds on which the educational, research and practice approaches are to be directed (AACN, 2006, p5). On one hand nursing has to be up graded due to an increasing demand of proper health care services, on the other hand for its own survival and enhancement. Professional autonomy via sound education would ensure career growth, reward and lack of exploitation. It would encourage growth and popularity of the profession by attracting larger population into this profession (AACN, 2006, p5).

Moreover, it would give nursing practices the scope to develop independent of the hospital administration and subjugation of the physicians (Barker, 2009, p9). Conclusion In conclusion it could be said that nursing is a specialised form of service that deserves professional recognition. There has been a continuous effort to develop professionalism in the whole nursing system with emphasis on educational standards, and proper knowledge of the nursing staff. Patient-centric nursing practices rather than hospital-centric nursing process underline the issue of professional autonomy in nursing.

In the course of time nursing will be evolving into mainstream profession but not until it is made autonomous. It has the potential to be an autonomous profession that will benefit both the public and the profession. References American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006) The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. Washington, DC. Author Barker. Anne.M (2009). Advanced Practice Nursing: essential knowledge for the profession. Jones and Bartlett Learning.